The Museum of the City of New York has launched an  on-line exhibition focused on the  elegant work of two of the fashion world’s  important and intriguing designers, Charles Frederick Worth and Main Rousseau Bocher (also known as Mainbocher).

“Worth/Mainbocher: Demystifying the Haute Couture” explores the work of the two masters of their times. The exhibition presents 57 Worths and 62 Mainbochers judged to be significant examples on the basis of design and workmanship. Although separated by 70 years, the two men shared much in common — both enjoyed a clientele and reputation as the fashion arbiters of their day.

The web presentation allows participants to view fine points of their construction and finishing techniques. The images are high-resolution, allowing viewers to zoom in and see individual threads and stitches.

The exhibition presents  catalogue entries with social histories, to give a sense of the designers’ time and place, as well as biographical essays written by fashion writers Hamish Bowles and Caroline Rennolds Milbank.

“To truly understand New York’s obsession with fashion, one needs to know the work of Worth and Mainbocher and understand the role they played in high fashion and high society,” said Susan Henshaw Jones, Ronay Menschel Director of the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibition was curated by Phyllis Magidson, the Museum’s Curator of Costumes and Textiles. Claire Schaeffer consulted on couture techniques.

Featuring photographs by David Arky, the exhibition is the result of a project to analyze and digitize these  garments and provide a look at the artistry and technical virtuosity of the two defining figures of haute couture.

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